One of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States is eyelid surgery, otherwise known as blepharoplasty. According to statistics compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in the last year alone more than 200,000 men and women underwent eyelid surgery and it was the single most frequently performed procedure on patients over the age of 40. Regardless of whether a patient is having a procedure done on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both, my goal during eyelid surgery is always to achieve subtle, natural-looking results that give the patient a more refreshed and youthful appearance without giving the face an overtly “worked-on” or “wind-blown” look.

Upper Eyelids

Most of us are familiar with the fact that, as we grow older, tissues gradually lose their elasticity and muscles start to weaken. While similar changes can affect virtually every part of the body, they are perhaps most apparent in the delicate skin of the eyelids, an area that is the focus of most social interaction. Specifically, when the tiny levator muscles that lift and support the eyelid weaken, the eyelid can start to noticeably droop, a process referred to as ptosis. This causes the eyes to narrow, the entire face to appear tired, sad, or angry, and in some cases may even partially impair peripheral vision. Cosmetic facial plastic surgery on the upper eyelids can remove tiny amounts of excess, sagging skin while tightening the miniature muscles that surround the eyes. In many cases, a blepharoplasty on the upper eyelids can often achieve effects similar to a more-extensive brow lift procedure, with a shorter post-surgical recovery time.

Lower Eyelids

Not only does the passage of time eventually cause skin to sag and droop, but it also allows fat deposits to gradually accumulate in the lower regions of the face. When this build up occurs in the thin tissue of the lower eyelids, the results commonly include dark circles and puffy under-eye bags. Through the use of an advanced transconjunctival blepharoplasty technique, I can remove these miniscule fat deposits through tiny incisions that are hidden inside the lower lid itself. This can make the eyes appear wider and more youthful and alleviate some of the sunken or hollow look that can occur in more mature patients. Blepharoplasty on the lower eyelids can also be performed in conjunction with a mini-facelift, which is designed to address signs of aging below the cheekbones and above the jawline. The two procedures complement one another to give the entire face a much more rejuvenated appearance.

If you have any questions about eyelid surgery or are interested in learning more about how any of the facial plastic surgery procedures that I perform can address your specific aging concerns, I would welcome you to contact me, Dr. Fernando Burstein, to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest facial plastic surgery news and updates.

Many of the most pronounced signs of facial aging, like wrinkles, folds, and sagging skin, are the results of a gradual loss of skin elasticity that affects all of us as we grow older. One of the places where these effects are most readily apparent is the area around the eyes. The constant pull of gravity slowly causes the eyelids to stretch and the muscles supporting them to weaken, which leads to excessive skin collecting both above and beneath the eyes themselves. This excess skin creates wrinkles and bulges on the lower eyelid and can hang over the eyelashes on the upper lid, sometimes obstructing peripheral vision. Additionally, the fat that cushions the eyeball from the skull can also cause bulges in the upper and lower eyelids as the thin membrane that holds the fat in place weakens, letting the fat jut into the lids. Ultimately, the result is a tired, sleepy or sad look, which can significantly detract from the natural beauty of the eye area.

Fortunately, these symptoms can often be reduced or even eliminated with eyelid surgery, also known as a blepharoplasty. This procedure works to correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat and skin while tightening the tiny muscles around the eyes. In addition to giving the patient an overall younger appearance, blepharoplasty can minimize puffiness in the upper eyelids caused by excess fatty deposits and address bags under the eyes, droopiness and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty eliminates the loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision. It can also achieve impressive cosmetic surgery results with minimal cost, risk and recovery time.

This procedure usually takes about one and a half to two hours if both upper and lower eyelids are done together, however the upper and lower lids can also be done separately if that is more in accordance with your individual cosmetic needs. Incisions are concealed in the natural folds of the eyelid or, in the case of a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, inside the lower eyelid, so that the appearance of scars is minimized. Fine lines and wrinkles in the skin around the eyes can then be softened significantly through laser skin resurfacing with the Sciton® Erbium laser. After eyelid surgery, it is common to have temporary swelling and bruising, but the eyelids should look normal within a week or two.

If you are interested in learning more about a plastic surgery procedure I perform, please contact me, Dr. Fernando Burstein, today. Additionally, Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. provides a variety of options for financing, including CareCreditSM, in order to assist you. Be sure to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest facial plastic surgery news.

One of the most common signs of aging is sagging skin, which makes people look older than they are or older than they want to appear. Certain areas like the face, neck, and hands show signs of aging sooner than others. Atlanta facial plastic surgeon Dr. Fernando Burstein says many patients who visit him to fight facial aging often complain about a tired eye appearance. Depending on the patient’s specific needs, Dr. Burstein offers several plastic surgery options to help rejuvenate the eyes by targeting the root of the problem: drooping skin around the eyes, swollen lids caused by fat deposits, or lax skin on the forehead.

Patients who are bothered by initial signs of aging may start with minimally invasive options like cosmetic injectables or Ultherapy® skin tightening. Cosmetic injectables work to relax wrinkle causing through injections into the forehead and between the eyes to promote a youthful appearance. Since a sagging brow often contributes to aging eyes, Ultherapy® works well for eyebrows that are just beginning to droop.

Patients with more advanced sagging often seek eyelid surgery. Patients with drooping upper eyelids causing a hood appearance above the eyes benefit from upper eyelid surgery, which involves removing excess hanging skin and an incision in the natural crease of the eyelid. Some patients’ puffy eyelids are caused by fat that builds up beneath the eyes, which can be treated with lower eyelid surgery. During lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Burstein makes a tiny incision through the membrane lining of the lower eyelid, a technique known as transconjunctival blepharoplasty. This incision allows him to remove the fat that causes swelling without a noticeable scar.

Patients who are bothered by both droopy upper and lower eyelids can receive both techniques at one time for complete eye rejuvenation. However, some patients schedule a consultation for eyelid surgery when their sagging brows are actually caused by lax forehead skin. These patients often benefit from a brow lift or forehead lift. By using small incisions that are easily hidden within the hairline, Dr. Burstein tightens the skin and muscles from within to smooth the brow and lift the eyebrows back to a youthful position. When performing this technique he often uses the endoscopic approach, which is less invasive and uses a tiny camera for guidance.

If you aren’t sure which facial plastic surgery procedure will provide your desired results, schedule a consultation with Dr. Burstein today. He understands that patients’ needs vary and will help you determine which approach will work best for you. Visit his website to learn more about the other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures he offers. If you haven’t already, connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.